ALAS Provides Free Summer Camp Giving Coastside Children Opportunities Often Out of Reach

Three-week program combines cultural arts, academics, outdoor adventures, meals,

and mentorship at no cost to families, July 13- July 31, 2026.

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — For many families, summer camp is a cherished childhood

experience, but one that often comes with a significant financial barrier. Full-day summer

camps can cost hundreds of dollars per week, with many specialized programs costing even

more, making these opportunities out of reach for many working families.

To help remove that barrier, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) has developed a free, three-

week Summer Camp that is making a direct difference in the lives of Coastside youth who

might otherwise be unable to afford the high cost of summer camps in the Bay Area.

This summer, ALAS is ensuring Coastside children have access to those same enriching

experiences through its Summer Camp, providing a full day of cultural arts education,

academic enrichment, outdoor adventures, nutritious meals, and mentorship at no cost to

families.

Running Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday

through Friday, the three-week camp serves children entering kindergarten through eighth

grade. Led by education professionals, teaching artists, and trained youth counselors, the

program provides lunch, snacks, educational activities, and field trips, all completely free.

"Every child deserves a summer filled with discovery, creativity, and joy," said Dr. Belinda

Hernandez Arriaga, Founder and CEO of ALAS. "Too often, enriching summer programs are financially out of reach for working families. Our goal is to ensure every child has the

opportunity to explore new interests, celebrate their culture, build confidence, and return to

school with unforgettable experiences, greater confidence, and stories to tell that every child

deserves to have."

The ALAS Summer Camp integrates cultural arts education with academic enrichment to help students continue learning and building confidence while school is out. Campers will

participate in activities including baile folklórico, mariachi, Indigenous instrumentation and

history, fashion design, hip-hop dance, and cajón, along with reading, writing, poetry,

mathematics, visual arts, and social-emotional learning.

"Summer learning is about more than preventing academic loss, it is an opportunity for children to discover their strengths, explore their creativity, and build confidence in who they are," said Dr. Kelly Delaney, Education Program Director at ALAS. "By integrating cultural arts, academics, and social-emotional learning, we create an environment where students feel connected, supported, and excited to learn."

The program also emphasizes community connection and intergenerational learning. Senior

community member volunteers and high school students join young adult counselors,

teachers, artists, and ALAS staff to support campers throughout the program while maintaining an approximate 3-to-1 student-to-staff ratio, ensuring children receive individualized attention and mentorship.

Throughout the three-week program, campers will enjoy educational field trips designed to

build confidence, promote wellness, and encourage exploration.

Older campers in grades 4-8 will receive surfing instruction through the Surfrider

Foundation on July 21-23, introducing many children to the ocean for the first time in a safe,

supportive, and encouraging environment.

Campers will also visit the Caring Cowgirl Ranch Palo Alto on July 28 and July 29, where

they will interact with miniature therapy horses and donkeys, as well as horses and pigs. The

experience teaches compassion, responsibility, and animal care while helping children feel

comfortable around animals through hands-on interactions with the ranch's gentle miniature therapy animals.

For many campers, these outings represent experiences they might not otherwise have the

opportunity to enjoy. Whether learning important water safety skills, catching their first wave, or bonding with therapy animals, these activities are designed to broaden children's horizons, strengthen their connection to the community, and create joyful memories that will last long after summer ends.

The camp concludes on Friday, July 31, with a family celebration where students will

showcase everything they have learned through performances featuring folklórico, mariachi,

dance, music, and other artistic presentations.

More than a summer program, ALAS Summer Camp helps children strengthen their cultural

identity, build friendships, discover new talents, and experience opportunities that foster

confidence, belonging, and hope. By removing financial barriers, ALAS ensures every child

has access to a summer filled with learning, creativity, adventure, and memories they can

proudly share when they return to school in the fall.

About Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS)

Founded in 2011 by Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, who serves as its CEO, Ayudando

Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to

advancing the health, education, and economic well-being of farmworkers, immigrant families, children, youth, and seniors on the San Mateo County Coast. Through culturally responsive education, family services, senior programs, and community partnerships, ALAS empowers community members of all ages to thrive while building a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive community. For more information, please visit www.alasdreams.com

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